Football players took the field on Friday evening, the volleyball teams hit the court on Saturday, with players in both sports enjoying their first taste of action against an opponent.

Prior to these scrimmages, the Cougars had been facing off with each other in practices, and both were happy to have the chance to see how they stacked up against other teams.

For the football program, the JV and freshmen were first up, sharing the field at Gregori High School in Modesto on Friday, Aug. 11. Varsity head coach Andrew Beam said the lower levels had a solid scrimmage, and he was impressed with some of the freshmen who were seeing their first live football action. The JV also was able to work on some aspects of their game, as a final tune up before the preseason schedule begins.

At the varsity level, Beam said he saw some nerves that he wasn’t expecting his team to have, while the host Gregori Jaguars treated the competition as much more than a scrimmage.

“You could tell Gregori was excited to play a state champion and we did not match their intensity,” Beam said of the defending state champion Cougars facing off with Gregori. “But everything we did wrong is fixable.”

The coach noted that the effort and physicality were there for the most part, though the Cougars will need to turn up the intensity level.

“We ran as much of our playbook as we could,” Beam added, noting that capturing the plays on film was important so coaches can continue to work with the players on things they need to correct and improve.

“There was 10 minutes each on offense and defense,” he said of the scrimmage format. “The first offense and first defense did 20 minutes on each side, our second group had one round of 10 minutes on each side and then a round of six minutes.”

And while scores aren’t kept, the Cougars did get into the end zone a few times, primarily on rushing plays, and with one touchdown pass completion.

“On defense we didn’t have the enthusiasm and fire I expected,” admitted Beam, “but we’re still encouraged by what we’ve got.”

Escalon travels to Golden Valley High School in Merced on Friday, Aug. 18 to begin the preseason.

Volleyball

Hosting the GEBO – Golden Valley-Escalon-Beyer-Oakdale – scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 12 in the main gym on the EHS campus, all three levels had the chance to play. The varsity Lady Cougars started it out, with a round robin-style format in which they got to play each of the other three teams. They were timed matches, with no formal scores kept, just an opportunity to work on skills and strategy. After the varsity matches were complete, the JV teams took the floor and the freshman squads then were able to close out the day of competition.

Returning varsity players include outside hitter Sophia Martin, libero Macie Vickers, defensive specialist Kendra Gwartney and middle blockers Claire Barkus and Lisa Murga.

They also have a new varsity coach, Shaylynn Beam – the younger sister of head football coach Andrew Beam – who made the move up from the JV level upon the retirement of longtime and three-time Section champion coach Teresa Williamson.

“I’m excited for the upcoming season. We lost a group of six seniors and they were a big part of our success last year,” the coach said. “This year we are a team of 13; (including) three seniors and two middles from last year’s group.”

She said the five returning players definitely stepped it up on Saturday, taking on leadership roles.

“We have some kinks to work out; since we are a young team some girls aren’t used to the speed,” admitted Beam. “We need to get our blocks up quick, transition fast and be ready for the ball, always.”

The JV and freshmen had a good showing, she added, with both teams featuring girls that can play multiple positions.

Escalon will host Sonora in a non-league match in the EHS gym on Thursday, Aug. 17 with the freshmen at 4 p.m., JV at 5 p.m., varsity at 6 p.m.